European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 26, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday april 26 2007 stars and stripes Page supersonics fire coach Hill remove Sund As pm by Tim Booth the associated press Bennett waited months to finally put his imprint on the basketball Side of the Seattle supersonics Bennett the sonics majority owner did that on tuesday by fir ing coach Bob Hill As expected and removing Rick Sund As Gener Al manager but it came with Little fanfare or explanation and plenty of questions not involving the franchises future in Seattle the overhaul of the sonics basketball operations was announced in a four paragraph 160word release in the late after noon Bennett and team vice chairman Lenny Wilkens we rent made available for comment and the Brief announcement failed to give an explanation for the moves Bob Hill and Rick Sund Are Fine individuals of excellent per Sonal character and Are Basket Sund Ball men through and through they were both extremely help Ful to us during mis challenging year of transition we Are sin Cerely appreciative to them for their service and we wish them Only the very Best Bennett said in the statement Why the moves were made is easier to decipher the sonics just finished a 3151 season their worst since ending the 198586 season with an identical Mark Only three times in the 50 years of service were celebrating off your Auto loan service credit Union is celebrating 50 years of service and we would like to include you in the festivities enjoy 25 off our published Auto loan rates now through May 312007 new used refinances Are eligible free pre approvals apply online at a local Branch or by phone military Coorg 0080047282000 Best Auto loan rate apr 514 if you Are a member of record As of of eject to done without notice Auto rates shown includes 35 of amt far direct Deposit new Sci Vris receive 25x off approved Auto loan race anniversary promo Orul a count available of Loans approved through May 31 stand disbursed within 90 Days of approval 120 Days for new offer available on new used or current Sci Auto Loans quaking for of cmdr of or More sonics 40year history have they finished with a worse record Sund with one year remaining on his contract will remain with the franchise As a consultant Hills contract was set to expire in june both were brought in by the previous ownership group now Bennett and Wilkens get to shape the sonics basketball operations How they want their parameters for finding a new Gener Al manager and coach Are among the lingering questions Wilkens the Hall of Fame coach is Likely to be rumoured for both positions but has reiterated a Lack of interest in returning to coaching the duos biggest Challenge might be finding a staff willing to endure a Lam Duck season in Seattle before the franchise potentially moves last week Bennett announced the team Likely would not play in Seattle after the 200708 season following the Washington state Legislatures decision not to con Sider plans for a new million Arena in suburban Renton Ben Nett asked for million in King county tax revenues to help pay for the new Arena if Bennett Doest get an agree ment for a new Arena in the seat tie area by oct 31 his Mil lion Purchase agreement allows him to move the Likely to Oklahoma City Bennetts ownership group bought the sonics and the Wanba Seattle storm last july while there is uncertainty As to the future physical location of our franchise our commitment to creating a culture of competitive excellence for this organization is Bennett said we absolutely aspire to win championships Hill and Sund didst return phone messages for comment to the associated press but Hill told local papers he got the word from Bennett in a Telephone Call about two hours after undergoing outpatient surgery in san Antonio to repair a hernia that had both ered him All season Hill said he hoped to return to coaching in the Aba i think for me the last two years have been great i got to do what i loved to do he told the news Tribune of Tacoma the Aba can be thankless and unforgiving but i dont disagree with his decision he should go in a Dif Ferent direction i am All for it Hills efforts to impress Ben Nett failed largely because of debilitating injuries Robert Swift expected to be Seattle starting Center was lost for the season Dur ing an october exhibition game leading scorer Ray Allen was bothered by Bone spurs in his an Kles for much of the season and missed the final 16 games after opting for surgery Rashard Lewis who can become a free agent was out 22 games with a hand injury whoever replaces Hill will be come Seattle third coach since Nate Mcmillan left for Portland after the 200405 season experienced options Are Avail Able including former Sacramento coach Rick Adelman former sonics assistant and Minnesota coach Dwane Casey and former Milwaukee coach Terry Porter